Article feeding construction



- ,7, 1969 J. A. MEIER ARTICLE FEEDING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7, 1967Sheet 014 //v VENZ'OE by @W y 27, 1969 J. A. MEIER 3,446,500

ARTICLE FEEDING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7, 1967 Sheet 3 of 4 May 27,1969 .J. A. MEIER 3,446,500

ARTICLE FEEDING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7. 1967 Sheet 3 of 4 2 30"will. a 6,6

' May 27, 1969 J. A. ME-IER ARTICLE FEEDING CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7,1967 FIG. 15

Mill I) United States Patent 3,446,500 ARTICLE FEEDING CONSTRUCTION JohnA. Meier, Deerfield, Ill., assignor to A. B. Dick Company, Niles, 111.,a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 629,237

Int. Cl. B65h 1/00 Cl. 271-62 7 Claims ABSTRACT or THE DISCLOSURE Aconstruction including a hopper for stacking a plurality of separatepieces, the pieces being characterized by a non-uniform thicknesswhereby a pile of the pieces supported on a flat surface will includepieces having a progressively greater angle with the horizontal from thebottom of the pile to the top of the pile. The hopper ing the resiliencyof the bottom plate so that pieces of differing characteristics can beaccommodated in the construction.

This invention relates to a hopper construction for supporting articlesso thatfthe articles can be efiiciently removed from the'hopper forfeeding purposes. The invention is particularly suitable for use inconnection with duplicating equipment where articles must be fed intothe equipment in a prescribed manner so that printing on the surface ofthe articles will be properly located. In the operation of duplicatingequipment, automatic means are generally employed for'feeding blankpieces. In a typical operation, a stack of blank sheets are located in ahopper adjacent feed rolls. Suction cups or other devices are employedfor lifting the top piece from the stack and for moving the piece intoposition for engagement with the feed rolls. Such operations take placeat a high rate of speed, even in less sophisticated duplicatingequipment.

Devices of the type described are entirely suitable where sheets ofpaper or other substantially flat pieces are being fed to theduplicating machine. Problems arise,

however, when pieces of a non-uniform thickness are being handled. Forexample, in the case of envelopes,

the area of the sealing flap comprises an area which is thicker thanother areas of the envelope and when the envelopes are placed in a largepile, the dilference' in thickness provides a progressively greaterchange in the angular disposition of the envelopes when compared withthe horizontal. Conventional feeding equipment cannot readily handlepieces'which are so disposed. For this reason, spacers have beeninserted at intervals in a stack of envelopes in an attempt to oifsetthe non-uniform character of these pieces. This results in added laboraudit is not an entirely satisfactory solution.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a hopperconstruction which is particularly suitable for use in conjunction withduplicating equipment.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a hopperconstruction of the type described which is adapted to handle pieces ofnon-uniform thickness whereby the pieces can be efliciently removed andfed to duplicating equipment or to other devices.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specificembodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

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FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a hopper construction characterizedby the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view'of the construction shown in FIGURE1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a business envelope of the typeadvantageously handled by the construction of this invention;

FIGURES 4 and 5 comprise side elevations of two alternative forms of theinvention; I 7

FIGURE 6 is a front elevation of a further alternative form of theinvention; 3

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of data processing cards of a typeadvantageously handled by the construction of this invention;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an embossed sheet of a typeadvantageously handled by the construction, of this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view taken about the line 9-9 of FIGURE 1illustrating feeding and supporting mechanisms utilized in theconstruction of this invention; 1

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of one form of supportin plate means used inthe hopper construction;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged view of supporting plate means used in thehopper construction;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 12-12 'ofFIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a detail, fragmentary view of the adjusting means utilizedin association with the bottom plate;

FIGURE 14 is a detail, fragmentary view of the adjust ing means shown inFIGURE 13; and

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view, particularly illustrating thehinge arrangement employed in conjunction with the adjusting means.

The apparatus of this invention generally comprises a hopper adapted tobe situated adjacent a feeding mechanism so that pieces piled in thehopper can be individually removed for feeding purposes. In oneapplication of the invention, the pieces may be fed to a duplicatingmachine so that printing can be formed thereon.

The hopper includes a bottom plate which provides support for the pilesituated in the hopper. The bottom plate is normally maintained in ahorizontal position; however, it is hinged along one side edge so thatit can pivot downwardly in response to the weight of pieces maintainedin the hopper. Where these pieces comprise envelopes or other articlesof non-uniform thickness, the degree of depression of the plate can beregulated so that the top piece in the pile will be substantiallyhorizontally disposed. This will greatly facilitate removal of thepieces by the feeding mechanism.

FIGURE 1 illustrates application of the instant invention to aduplicating construction. The construction comprises conventionalduplicating cylinders 10, 12 and 14. Guide plates 16 are locatedadjacent feed rolls 18 and 20 whereby articles to be printed can be fedbetween the cylinders 12 and 14.

In describing the operation of the structure shown in FIGURES land 2,reference will be made to business envelopes 22 of the type shown inFIGURE 3. These envelopes include a sealing flap 24 representing athicker area of the envelopes. When the envelopes are all aligned in thesame manner and stacked vertically, the presence of these thicker areaswill result in progressively changing angular disposition of theenvelopes in the pile. Obviously, if these envelopes were stacked in ahopper with a flat .bottom surface, the uppermost envelope would beposi- 3 cups 26. A plurality of these suction cups are positioned abovethe envelopes 22 (see FIGURE 9), and it will be apparent that one ormore of the suction cups could not engage the uppermost envelope if theenvelope were disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal.

In accordance with the instant invention, a hopper construction isprovided which provides for horizontal disposition of the uppermostenvelopes in the hopper. The arrangement illustrated comprises outerupstanding rod 28 and central rod 30 which divide the hopper into twosections. A pile of envelopes 22 is provided in each of these sections.

Bottom plates 32 support each pile of envelopes. Each of the plates 32is attached by means of a hinge 34 so that the plates are adapted to bepivotally depressed when a pile of envelopes is placed in the hopper.

FIGURES through illustrate the manner in which the plates are secured inthe hopper construction. Bottom sections 38 are attached to supportingplate 40 which is mounted on the table 42 by means of legs 44. As bestshown in FIGURE 10, the bottom sections 38 are secured to the plate 40by means of bolts 46. Slots 48 are defind by the sections 38 so that thepositions of these sections can be adjusted relative to the plate 42.Adjustments can then be made to accommodate pieces of different sizeswithin the hopper.

Sheet members are secured to bottom sections 38 by means of bolts 47.Slots 49 permit adjustment of the sheet members 45 relative to thebottom section 38. The hinges 34 are attached to the sheet members 45.These hinges permit the bottom plates 32 to swing downwardly as bestshown in FIGURES 2 and 12.

A leaf spring is interposed in the area of these hinges whereby a firstportion 50 of the leaf spring will engage the underside of each bottomplate while a second portion 52 of each leaf spring extends downwardly.The leaf springs must be compressed in order to assume a 90 degreeconfiguration whereby in the normal condition of the construction, thesprings will tend to force the bottom plates upwardly. A stop member 54is formed as an integral part of the hinge 34 to prevent upward movementof the bottom plates beyond a horizontal position. This stop member 54can be provided by bending an intermediate section of the hinge 34 sothat this section engages the outside surface rather than an insidesurface to which the remaining portions of the hinge are attached.

A set screw 56 is threaded through the wall of the construction so thatthe end of the set screw engages the portion 52 of the leaf spring. Itwill be apparent that rotation of the set screw will vary the amount ofpressure exerted by the leaf spring against the bottom plate.

In the operation of the construction described, stacks of envelopes 22are positioned between rods 28 and central rod 30. Each envelope ispositioned so that the sealing flap 24 will be positioned adjacent thecentral rod whereby depression of the plates 32 will result in asubstantially horizontal position for each of the uppermost envelopes22.It will be apparent that the set screws 56 can be adjusted after theenvelopes are in place to provide the desired position for the uppermostenvelopes.

The hopper construction may be provided with various conventionalelements including a wire member 60 extending across the top of eachstack, and a backing plate 62 for confining the ends of the envelopes inthe stacks. A transversely extending bar 64 is provided with adjustablebrackets 66 which support the rods 28 and 30. With this arrangement, theenvelopes can be aligned in a uniform manner within the hopper, andadjustments can be made to accommodate pieces of different sizes.

The suction cups which pick up the uppermost envelopes are mounted onarms 68, and these arms are in turn secured to a reciprocating mechanismincluding arms 70. This mechanism is of conventional design, and itprovides for downward movement of the suction cups for picking up of theuppermost envelopes and then swinging movement during an upward strokewhereby the ends of the envelopes will be moved into the nip of the feedrolls. Gas jets form nozzles 72 which may be directed between theuppermost envelopes in the stacks to reduce the likelihood of more thanone envelope being picked up by the suction cups. Fingers 74 whichextend over the leading edges of the envelopes cooperate in thisrespect.

The table 42 which supports the hopper may be provided with a drivemechanism which gradually moves the table upwardly relative to thefeeding mechanism. These drive mechanisms are conventionally tied inwith the drive mechanismsfor the suction cups whereby the removal ofeach piece in the stacks will provide for an upward increment ofmovement. Accordingly, the uppermost piece in each stack will always bein position for engagement by the suction cups.

The arrangement of this invention automatically compensates itself asenvelopes are removed from the stacks. Thus, the weight of each stack isgradually reduced so that the opposition to the leaf spring will begradually reduced Since the cumulative effect of the sealing flaps 24 isreduced at the same rate, the bottom plates 32 will gradually swingtoward the horizontal to always maintain the uppermost envelope in asubstantially horizontal plane.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate alternative arrangements of the invention. Ineach case, the piece forming the stack may comprise embossed sheets asshown in FIG- URE 8. Such sheets will include areas of greater thicknessresulting from the embossing, and the cumulative effect of these areaswill result in a non-uniform stack. Where the embossing is compensatednear the trailing edge of a sheet, the pivotally mounted bottom plate 82is attached at the front of the hopper. The reverse condition is shownin FIGURE 5 wherein the plate 84 is pivotally attached at the rear ofthe hopper.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an arrangement wherein a pair of stacks formed ofdata processing cards 86 are disposed in adjacent hoppers. In theseinstances, the bottom plates 88 are attached at the sides of therespective hoppers. The data processing cards are characterized by amagnetic strip 90 which represents a thicker area. A mechanism embodyingthe concepts of this invention is ideally suited for handling cards ofthis type.

In comparing the arrangements of FIGURES 2 through 6, it will beappreciated that the structure of the instant invention can accommodatea wide variety of situations which require handling of pieces ofnonuniform thickness. The bottom plates can be attached at variouslocations in the hopper structures without difliculty and withoutdisrupting the operation of the construction.

A conventional feeding construction can be readily modified toincorporate the features of this invention. When considering FIGURE 12,for example, it will be appreciated that the provision of the pivotallymounted bottom plates can be accomplished through the mere attachment ofthe illustrated assembly to an existing construction. Once attached, aflat plate could merely be positioned over the bottom plates 32 whenfeeding sheets of uniform thickness. On the other hand, the assemblyincluding the bottom plates 32 can be readily removed, particularly whenshifting to an alternative form of the invent-ion.

The provision of additional rods to divide the hopper into separatesections can be readily accomplished by attaching the rods as shown inFIGURE 9. Again, conventional equipment need not be modified to anysign-ificant extent in order to utilize the structures of the instantinvention.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madein the constructions described which provide the characteristics of thisinvention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly asdefined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

'1. In a construction of the type including a hopper for the stacking ofa plurality of separate pieces one on top of the other to form a pile,and having means for removing the top piece from said pile for feedingpurposes, said pieces having a non-uniform thickness whereby stacking ofthe pieces on a fiat surface produces a pile having the pieces thereondisposed at a progressively greater angle with the horizontal frombottom to top, the improvement wheren said hopper defines a pair ofbottom plates so that side-by-side stacks can be provided for feedingpurposes, means pivotally connecting one side edge of each plate wherebyeach plate is angularly depressed due to the weight of said pieces whensaid pieces are placed in the hopper, and resilient means associatedwith said plates for pressing on said plates in opposition to theweigh-t of said pieces, said resilient means being characterized by anopposing force sufiicient to offset the progressive change in angulardisposition of the pieces whereby the top piece will be substantiallyhorizontally disposed when removed from said pile, and includingupstandingrods extending along the sides of said hopper for maintainingthe pieces with-in the hopper, and including a central rod separatingthe adjacent stacks supported by the respective plates.

2. In a construction of the type including a hopper for the stacking ofa plurality of separate pieces one on top of the other to form a pile,and having means for removing the top piece from said pile for feedingpurposes, said pieces having a non-uniform thickness whereby stacking ofthe pieces on a fiat surface produces a pile having the pieces thereondisposed at a progressively greater angle with the horizontal frombottom to top, the improvement wherein said hopper defines a bottomplate, means pivotally connecting one side edge of said plate wherebythe plate is angularly depressed due to the weight of said pieces whensaid pieces are placed in the hopper, and resilient means associatedwith said plate for pressing on said plate in opposition to the weightof said pieces, said resilient means being characterized by an opposingforce suflicient to offset the progressive change -in angulardisposition of the pieces whereby the top piece will be substantiallyhorizontally disposed when removed from said pile, and wherein saidresilient means comprises a leaf spring means having a first portionpressing against the underside of said plate and a second portionextending downwardly from said plate, and means for adjusting thepressure exerted bysaid spring comprising a set screw pressing againstsaid second portion and adapted to move said second portion to therebychange the pressure exerted by said first portion.

3. In a construction of the type including a hopper for the stacking ofa plurality of separate pieces one on top of the other to form a pile,and having means for removing the top piece from said pile for feedingpurposes, said pieces having a non-uniform thickness whereby stacking ofthe pieces on a flat surface produces a pile having the pieces thereondisposed at a progressively greater angle with the horizontal frombottom to top, the improvement wherein said hopper defines a bottomplate, means pivotally connecting one side edge of said plate wherebythe plate is angularly depressed due to the weight of said pieces whensaid pieces are placed in the hopper, spring means associated with saidplate and pressing on said plate for normally forcing the plate to asubstantially horizontal position when the hopper is empty and forholding the plate in an angular position in opposition to the weight ofsaid pieces, said spring means being characterized by an opposing forcesufiicient to offset the progressive change in angular disposition ofthe pieces whereby the top piece will be substantially horizontallydisposed when removed from said pile, and manually operable adjustingmeans connected to said spring means for adjusting the pressure exertedby said spring.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said piecescomprise envelopes with the sealing flap of each envolpe comprising anarea which is thicker than the remainder of the envelope.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said piecescomprise data processing cards having a magnetic strip formed in onesection thereof providing an area of greater thickness.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said piecescomprise sheets having embossed portions thereof comprising areas ofgreater thickness than remaining areas of the sheets.

7. A construction in accordance with claim 3 including stop means forpreventing said plate from moving upwardly beyond a horizontalposit-ion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1962 Pendley 27l61 X 3/1966Becker 271-62 EDWARD A. SROKA, Primary Examiner.

